Suction-feed



T. A. EDISON, 1R.

SUCTION FEED.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.14. 1918.

Patented g. 30,

T. A. EDISON, Jn.

SUCTION FEED.

AFPLICATION FlLED 1AN.14, 191s.

Patented Aug. 30, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inventor:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SUCTION-FEED.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 30, 1921.

Application led January 14, 1918. Serial No. 211,887.

7 10 all whom t 01mg/ concern Be it known that I, THOMAS A. EDISON, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Burlington, in the county of Burlington and State of New Jersey, and whose postoiiice address is Burlington, New Jersey, R. F. D. No. 3, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Suction-Feeds, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to various new and useful improvements in suction feeds adapted particularly for use for the purpose of supplying gasolene or other liquid fuelto a carbureter occupying a higher level than the tank and from which carbureter the explosive gas is delivered to an internal combustion engine. My improved feed operates on the suction principle, that is to say, by suction developed at the intake side of the engine. I am, of course, aware that it has been proposed to utilize this suction for the purpose of drawing the fuel from the supply tank upwardly into the carbureter or into an auxiliarytank from which the fuel may fio'w by gravity into the carbureter.

The object of my invention is to produce an improved suction feed of simple construction' and of entirely certain and efficient operation. In carrying my invention into effect I utilize a chamber or cylinder in which the gasolene or other liquid-fuell will be drawnby suction and I employ a float or piston (as the case may be) which rises with the liquid entering the chamber or cylinder, the construction being such that when the {ioat or piston reaches the end of its upward movement the suction inlet to the chamber or cylinder will be suddenly cut off and simultaneously the partial vacuum will be broken by permitting the entrance of atmospheric air, thus allowing the gasolene or other liquid fuel to flow through directal)T into the carbureter by gravity or preferably to flow into an auxiliary tank. I will hereafter describe two ways by which the invention may be carried into effect.

With the first plan a chamber is used connected to the suction, having an auxiliary tank below it and provided with a Hoat in said chamber controlling a. suction cut-off valve, whereby when the latter operates to suddenly cut off the suction and the partial Vacuum is broken, the gasolene or other liquid fuel will be permitted to slowly pass into the auxiliary tank or directly into the carbureter at a rate dependent upon the consumption, the operation being repeated when the float has reached its-lowermost positlon and permitting the suction to be again applied. With this form of device the operation of the parts is comparatively infrequent, especially if the engine is running slowly. Y

With the second and preferred form of the invention, I make use of a cylinder in which works a piston controlling the suction cutoff valve. The arrangement is such that u nder the effect of suction the piston. will rise in the cylinder drawing a. charge of gasolene into the cylinder from the supply tank. When the piston reaches its uppermost limit. the suction cut-ofi'l valve will operate and the partial vacuum will also be broken. Thereupon the piston will descend, discharging the supply of gasolene into an auxiliary tank connected to the carburetor and near the end of its down stroke the piston will operate the suction cut-0H valve to again cause the suction to elevate the piston. With this arrangement the cylinder and piston practically constitute a gasolene pump, drawing charges of gasolene into the cylinder and discharging them into the auxiliary tank, the excess supply of gasolene in the auxiliary tank overfiowing back to the main gasolene tank, and the operation therefore is continuous so long as the engine operates.

In order that my invention may be better understood, attention is directed to` the accompanying drawings forming a. part of this specification, and in which- Y Figure 1 is a general diagrammatic view of the preferred'embodiment of my invention, showing the relation of the vacuum view of a modification, in which a chamber and Hoat are used, showing the fioat on its upward stroke. n

In all of the above views, corresponding parts are represented'by the same numerals of reference.

The main fuel tank 1 of any suitable construction is shown as being on a slightly lower level than the carbureter 2. The vacuum pump comprises a cylinder 3 in which is mounted a light piston 4 sliding freely therein. A pipe 5 leads from the main tank 1 into the lower end of the cylinder 3 and is provided with a check valve 6 of any suitable type to permit the gasolene to fiow freely into the cylinder but preventing a return flow thereof in the usual Way. A pipe 7 leads from the intake pipe 8 of the carbureter or is otherwise connected to the suction, to the top of the cylinder as shown so as to permit suction to be developed within the cylinder as will be understood. The suction inlet to the cylinder is formed with an enlarged bore 9 which constitutes a small auxiliary cylinder as will be presently described. l n

Co erating with this auxiliary cylinder is a p ug or secondary piston 10, the upper end of which is conical as shown, and which constitutes the suction cut-off valve by cooperating with the seat formed at the upper face of the auxiliary cylinder 9u. The plug or secondary piston 10 fits the auxiliary cylinder with a fairly close fit so as to travel freely therein. The plug 10 is provided with a stem 11 having a. head 12 at its lower end which head works in a tube 13 carried by the piston 4 and provided at its upper end with a plate 14 having an opening therein through which the stem 11 freely slides. The stem 11 and tube 13 are properly proportioned as to length to provide for the effective stroke of the piston 4, as will be understood. Carried by the plug or secondary piston 10 at the bottom is a flange 15 adapted to engage the steinA 16 of a valve 17 I which permits atmospheric air to enter the cylinder simultaneously with the cut-off of the suction as will be explained. Secured to the bottom of the cylinder 3 is a small auxiliary tank 18, having an air vent 19 therein, permitting gasolene to freely flow therefrom into the carbureter through the openings'20 and pipe 21. A light check valve 22 comprising a disk cooperating with the seat 23 is arranged between the auxiliary tank 18 and the cylinder 3, so as to close on the up stroke of the piston. This check valve may be provided with a stem 24 with which the piston 4 may engage when it drops entirely down in case the engine stops running, so that all of the gasolene from the cylinder 3 will fiow into the auxiliary tank 18.

Extending into the auxiliary tank 18 is an overflow pipe 25 which leads back to the pipe 5, as shown, or to the main tank l, and

through which excess gasolene flows out of the auxiliary tank. In operation it will be seen that when the engine is started, suction will be created at the intake pipe. 8 causing the carbiireter to operate in theI usual way. This suction in the pipe. 7 will be created in the cylinder 3 above the piston, the air valve 17 being closed. Consequently the piston 1 will rise drawing a charge of gasolene from the tank 1 into the cylinder 3, the check valve 6 opening in this movement and the check valve 22 being closed. As soon as or shortly after the pliig or secondary piston 1() enters the auxiliary cylinder 9, the suction will cause the plug to be drawn rapidly upward to close the suction cut-off valve as shown in Fig. 3, and the suction will keep this valve closed until it is forciby opened as will be explained.

Just as the suction cutoff valve is about to close, the flange 15 will strike the stem 16 of the air valve and open the air valve 1T permitting atmospheric air to enter the cylinder and break the 'partialvacuum. The weight of the gasolene in the cylinder 3 and the weight of the piston 4 will thereupon cause the piston to descend and the gasolene will fiow past the check valve 22 into the auxiliary tank 18. rIhe piston el. descends until the plate 14C of the tube 13 engages the head 12 as shown in F ig. 3 and its further descent will forcibly withdraw the plug 10 from its seat and permit the plug to drop down to the position shown in Fig. 2, thus allowing` the air vent to close. Thereupon suction being again created in the cylinder 3 the operation described will be repeated. In this way charges of gasolene will by the vacuum pump be continuously di'awn (so long as the engine operates) from the main tank 1 and discharged into the auxiliary tank 18, any overflow from said tank fiowing back to the main tank and thus there will always be a supply of gasolene to flow from the auxiliary tank to the carbureter. It will be understood that with the device described the operation of the vacuum pump proceeds continuously so long as the engine operates and being independent of the amount of gasolene consumed by theV engine.

Referring to F ig. 4, Ivillustrate a modification of the invention in which the operation is irregularly intermittent, that is to say, is dependent upon the rate at which the gasolene is used. lVith this modification I lshow a chamber 26 formed with an auxiliary tank or smaller chamber 2T at its bottom from which the pipe 21 leads to the carbureter. lVith this modification the air vent comprises a pipe 19 running up the outside of the chamber 26. Between the chamber 26 and the auxiliary chamber 27 is a check valve 28 permitting gasolene to flow downwardly but preventing its flow upwardly.

Leading into the chamber 26 near its bottom is the pipe having check valve 6 as with the arran ement shown in Fig. 2. The

lchamber 26 and is provide suction pipe 7 eads to the u per part of the dp with an auxiliary cylinder 9 as with the arrangement of Fig. 2. With this form also the same air valve 17 is used with stem 16. Also the plug or secondary piston 10 is the same and cooperates in the sameway with the auxiliary cylinder 9. Likewise the plug 10 is provided with a flange 15 coperating with the air vent 17. With this modification the tube 13 is carried by a hollow float 29, the plate 14 being carried by the float and functioning in the same way with the head 12 when the suction cut-off' valve is to be operated. In this modification the stem 11 works in a suitable guide 30, supported by a bracket 31, as will be understood.

With the modified arrangement referred to, the suction created in the chamber 26 will draw a charge of gasolene from the fuel tank 1 through the pipe 5, the check valve 28 closing during this suction stroke. As the float rises it carries the plug 10 upward until ,the plug finally enters the auxiliary cylinder whereupon the suction suddenly snaps it upward to cut off' the suction supply and open the air vent 17. Thereupon air may enter the chamber so long as the suction cut-off' valve (is held by suction 1n contact with its seat. Therefore the supply of gasolene in the chamber 26 slowly flows downward, according to the rate of c onsumption in the carbureter and the float likewise descends until the head 12 is engaged with the plate 14 so as to unseat the suction cut-off valve and permit' it to drop in position shown in Fig. 4, simultaneously closing the air vent. Thereupon suction being again created within the chamber 26 a succeeding supply of gasolene from the tank 1 will be drawn into the chamber 26 and the operations described will be repeated. In the drawing, an internal combustion engine of typical form is indicated at 32, connected to the intake pipe 8 of the carbureter.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows 1. In suction feeds for liquid fuel, the combination of a fuel tank or receptacle into which successive charges of the liquid fuel are to be drawn by the suction of the engine, and means actuated by suction whose action is determined by the height of the liquid in the receptacle for entirely cutting off the suction with a snap-action and breaking the partial vacuum to allow the charge to recede, substantially as set forth.

2. In suction feeds for liquid fuel, the combination of a fuel tank or `receptacle into which successive charges of liquid fuel are to be drawn by the suction of the engine, an

element whose position is determined by the height of the liquid in the receptacle, a suction cut-off valve carried by said element and actuated by suction for entirely cutting off the suction with a snap-action when a full charge has entered the receptacle, and means controlled by said element for simultaneously breaking the partial vacuum to allow the charge to recede, substantially as set forth.

3. In suction feeds for liquid fuel, the combination of a fuel tank or receptacle into which successive charges of the liquid fuel are to be drawn by the suction of the engine, an element whose position is determined by theheight of the liquid in the receptacle, a suction cut-off valve carried by said element and actuated by suction for entirely cutting off the suction with a snap-action when a full charge has entered the receptacle and an air valve operated by said element for simultaneously breaking the partial vacuum to allow the charge to recede, substantially as set forth.

4. In suction feeds for liquid fuel, the combination of a fuel tank or receptacle into which successive charges of the liquid fuel are to be drawn by the suction of the engine, an element whose osition is determined by the height of the liquid in the receptacle, a suction cut-off valve carried by said element for entirely cutting olf the suction with a snap-action when a full charge has entered the receptacle, means controlled by said element for simultaneously breaking the partial vacuum to allow the charge to recede, and means controlled by said element in its lower position for withdrawing the suction cut-off valve and restoring suction conditions in the receptacle, substantially as set forth.

5. In suction feeds for liquid fuel, the combination with an internal combustion engine and a fuel tank, of a reciprocating vacuum pump operated by the suction of the engine for continuously withdrawing successive charges of liquid fuel from said tank at a rate independent of the consumption of such fuel by and speed of the engine, substantially as set forth.

6. In. suction feeds for liquid fuel, the combination with an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank andan auxiliary tank, of a reciprocating vacuum pump operated by the suction of the engine for continuously withdrawing successive charges of the liquid fuel from the fuel tank and discharging the same into the auxiliary tank at a rate independent of the consumption of such fuel by and speed of the engine and an overflow from the auxiliary tank for accommodating the surplus liquid fuel supplied therein, substantially as set forth.

7.' In suction feeds for liquid fuel, the combination. with an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank and an auxiliary tank, of a reciprocating vacuum pump operated by the suction of the engine for continuously withdrawing successive charges of the liquid fuel from the fuel tank and discharging the same into the auxiliary tank at a rate independent of the consumption of such fuel by and speed of the engine, said vacuum pump comprising a cylinder and means whose action is determined by the height of the liquid therein for cutting off the suction and breaking the partial vacuum to allow the charge to recede, substantially as set forth.

8. In suction feeds for liquid fuel, the combination with an internal combustion engine and a fuel tank, of a reciprocating vacuum pump operated by the suction of the engine for continuously withdrawing successive charges of liquid fuel from said tank at a4 rate independent of the consumption of such fuel by and speed of the engine, said vacuum pump comprising a cylinder, a pist-on therein whose position is determined by the height of the liquid in the cylinder, a suction cutoff valve carried by said piston for cutting off the suction when a full charge has entered the cylinder, and means controlled by said piston for simultaneously breaking the partial Vacuum to allow the charge to recede, substantially as set forth.

9. In suction'feeds for liquid fuel, thecombination with an internal combustion engine and a. fuel tank, of a reciprocating vacuum pump operated by the suction of t e engine for continuously withdrawing successive charges of liquid fuel from said tank at a rate independent of the consumption of such fuel by and speed of the engine, said vacuum pump comprising a cylinder, a piston therein whose position is determined by the height of the liquid in the cylinder, a suction cut-off valve carried by said piston for cutting off the suction when a full charge has entered the cylinder and an air Valve operated by Said piston for simultaneously breaking the partial vacuum to allow the charge to recede, substantially as set forth.

10. In suction feeds for liquid fuel, the combination with an' internal combustion engine and a fuel tank, of a Vacuum pump operated by the suction of the engine for continuously withdrawing charges of liquid from said tank at a rate independent of the consumption of such fuel by the engine, said pump comprising a cylinder, a piston therein whose position is determined by the height of the liquid in the receptacle, an auxiliary cylinder, a secondary piston or plug cooperating therewith carried by the main piston and constituting a suction cut-off valve for cutting off the suction when a full charge has entered the cylinder, and means controlled by said main piston for simultaneously breaking the partial vacuum to allow the charge to recede, substantially as set forth.

11. In suction feeds forliquid fuel, the combination with an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank] and an auxiliary tank,of a reciprocating vacuum pump operated by the suction of the engine for continuously withdrawing successive charges of the liquid fuel .from the fuel tank and discharging the same into the auxiliary tank at a rate independent of the consumption of such fuel by and speed of the engine, said vacuum pump comprising a cylinder and piston, a suction cut-off valve whose action is determined by the height of the liquid in the cylinder for cutting off the suction and breaking the partial vacuum to allow the charge to recede, and means controlled by said piston in its lower osition for withdrawing the suction cut-og valve and restoring 'suction conditions in the cylinder, substantially as set forth.

12. In suction feeds for liquid fuel, the combination with an internal combustion engine and a fuel tank, of a vacuum pump operated by the suction of the engine for continuously withdrawing charges of liquid from said tank at a rate independent of the consumption of s uch fuel by the engine,

said pump comprlsing a cylinder, a piston therein whose position is determined by the height of the liquid in the cylinder, an auxiliary cylinder, a secondary piston or plug coperating therewith carried by the main piston and constituting a suction cutoff Valve for cutting off the suction when a full charge has entered the receptacle, means controlled by said main piston for simultaneously breaking the partial vacuum to allow the charge to recede, and means controlled by said main piston. in its lower position for withdrawing the suction cut-off valve and restoring suction conditions in the cylinder, substantially as set forth.

13. In suction feeds for liquid fuel, the combination with an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank and an auxiliary tank-,"of I a reciprocating vacuum pump operated by the suction of the engine for continuously withdrawing successive charges of the liquid fuel and discharging the same into the auxiliary tank at a rate independent of the consumption of such fuel by and speed of the engine, said pump comprising a cylinder and piston whose action is determined by the height of the liquid therein fo'r cutting off the suction and breaking the partial Vacuum to allow the charge to recede, and an over- 'low from the auxiliary tank for accommodating the surplus liquid fuel supplied thereto, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this eleventh day of January, 1918.

THOMAS A. EDISON, JR. 

